Amelie CameronThere are so many things I loved about my Japan trip last year—the Nintendo stores and the experience of riding a bullet train or exploring the bustling streets of Tokyo—but the desserts have to take the cake (pun intended).
When I passed by a bakery, I just had to stop and order something because I was that obsessed. The jiggly cheesecakes with the texture of a cloud, the sandwiches with cream and fruit, and, of course, the matcha-flavoured treats—I devoured them all!
So, when I came back to Toronto, I started missing Japanese desserts. Fortunately, many restaurants here offer them. Here are my favourites.
Tsujiri
– From: morokokoko
Address: 147 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 9 pm
- Friday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +17054917253
Tsujiri is best known for its teas, but personally, I love coming here because of the cakes. They’re so beautifully decorated and not overwhelmingly sweet. Oh, and of course, they’re mostly matcha-flavoured.
My favourite is the Hojicha Shortcake. The sponge cake is light and bouncy, and the roasted green tea flavour is distinct. I also love the chestnut cream used to coat the cake; it’s thick and creamy, with a light fruity aroma and taste.
| Pro Tip: This shop has its own retail store. You can find matcha powder there, and they even have baking-grade matcha powder if you love to bake desserts. |
Fuwa Fuwa Pancakes
– From: fuwafuwapancakes
Address: 408 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Friday—11 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14169449999
If you’ve never tried Japanese-style pancakes before, you’re missing out because they’re so good—so light and fluffy it’s almost like biting into a pillow! One place to get a taste of this treat is Fuwa Fuwa Pancakes (one of many great local pancake spots).
I’m obsessed with the blueberry cheese pancakes. These are smothered with a generous heaping of blueberry sauce, which adds a tart kick to every forkful. The cheese is tangy as well, but it also has a slight sweetness that elevates the dish.
| Pro Tip: Every month, there are free coupons you can enjoy. Usually, these let you enjoy certain drinks and treats at discounted prices. |
Little Pebbles
– From: littlepebblesto
Address: 160 Baldwin St #8, Kensington Market BIA
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +16479017532
Little Pebbles Cafe is a charming little cafe in Kensington Market that serves just as charming desserts. They feature treats from different cuisines, but I’m personally obsessed with the matcha strawberry shortcake—a Japanese classic.
Inside the cake, you can find layers of fresh strawberry slices and fluffy sponge cake, and then for the toppings, it’s a thick layer of matcha white chocolate whipped cream and even more slices of strawberry.
Every bite is a combination of sweet and fruity. The matcha flavour is more subdued, but its earthy flavour definitely complements the cake’s sweetness.
| Pro Tip: Planning an event? You can book their catering services. |
Uncle Tetsu
– From: uncletetsucanada
Address: 595 Bay St. Unit E-05, Atrium
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14372669196
When I discovered that Toronto has an Uncle Tetsu outlet, I was so overjoyed I practically fell down to my knees (okay, a bit dramatic, but you get the idea). How can I not be overjoyed? I basically lived off of Uncle Tetsu’s cheesecake in Japan!
I’m happy to report that the cheesecake served here is just as good as the ones I tried there: it’s still soft and fluffy, and it jiggles! The cream cheese flavour stands out; in fact, the tanginess overpowers the sweetness, but I don’t mind it.
| Pro Tip: I recommend eating it as soon as possible. I know most people prefer it chilled, and it does taste good that way (it’s spongier and creamier), but in my opinion, it just tastes better when it’s still warm. That way, the cake is fluffier and tastes more custardy. Every bite just melts on my tongue! |
Hitotoki Bakery
– From: hitotoki_bakery
Address: 25 Carlton St. Unit D
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14165960770
Hitotoki Bakery is a cute local bakery with a cozy vibe. Their desserts are just as pretty, and sometimes, I have to snap photos of my order before taking a bite.
My go-to treat is the kinako and mochi tart, which has a lovely nutty flavour. I also really like how chewy it is; in a way, it makes me feel like I’m eating a sweet pizza.
I also like to pair my treat with a drink. So far, their strawberry matcha latte hasn’t disappointed me yet; the vegetal and fruity flavours work very well.
| Pro Tip: This bakery sells Japanese milk bread as well. If you enjoy making sandwiches or toast, you might want to stock up on a few loaves; they’re so soft and bouncy! |
Saryo Cafe
– From: sryocafe
Address: 5051 Yonge St, Konjiki Ramen, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16473506611
Saryo Cafe truly sticks to the theme. With its wooden walls and furniture, small space, and cozy ambiance, it does feel like a cafe I visited in Tokyo!
I like to try all sorts of desserts here, but one I’m currently obsessed with is the hojicha parfait waffle bowl. I love the tea taste of the soft serve—earthy and a bit bittersweet—and it tastes even better with the sweet red bean paste and fruity lychee.
The matcha rare cheesecake is a must-try as well. The crust is wonderfully crumbly, while the cake base is fluffy and rich.
| Pro Tip: This cafe shares the same space as a ramen shop. So, if you’re sick of all the sweetness, you can cleanse your palate by enjoying a bowl of savoury ramen. |
La Mochi Donuts and Sweets
– From: lamochisweets
Address: 3272 Midland Ave B115, Skycity Shopping Center, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14162937000
Mixing mochi, a classic Japanese dessert, and a donut, a classic American treat? Yes, please! If you want to try this amazing combination as well, you need to go to La Mochi Donuts and Sweets.
My current favourite is the matcha and Oreo mochi donut. The donut base is perfectly chewy like a mochi, and the cream is infused with matcha. That green tea taste really pops out. The entire thing is topped with Oreos, their sweetness tying everything together.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning an event, you can book their catering services. |
Isabella’s Donuts
– From: isabellasdonuts
Address: 2066 Queen St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14166995050
Isabella’s Donuts is another great donut shop to check out if you’re obsessed with mochi donuts.
The baklava mochi donut is my go-to recommendation. It’s just so decadent—the intense sugary flavours paired with the nuttiness from the pistachios. Ahhh, I can’t get enough of it.
I also really like the White Rabbit mochi donut. The White Rabbit candy is something I only discovered during my trip to Asia, and I love its rich, toffee-like flavour. I’m glad to say that this mochi donut captures that flavour well.
| Pro Tips: Book this shop’s catering services for your special event. This shop has a loyalty rewards program. For every dollar spent, you’ll earn one point. Earn enough points to enjoy special perks. |
Hazukido
– From: lawlam.eats
Address: 1200 Bay St. Unit 3
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—8 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14164131888
I’m aware that croissants are a staple of French cuisine, but they’ve gotten so popular that other cuisines have their own version. So, there are now Japanese-style croissants, which are puffier and flakier. Hazukido is one place you can go to treat yourself to one.
I’m currently obsessed with the hazelnut chocolate croissant, which is essentially Ferrero Rocher but make it croissant. Every bite of this is an explosion of rich chocolate sweetness and crunchy hazelnut. I can feel my blood sugar spiking, but hey, it’s worth it!
| Pro Tip: This store has bottles of cold brew coffee that are exclusive to Canadian outlets. Purchase a bottle to pair with your croissant. |
Tsuchi Cafe
– From: tsuchi.cafe
Address: 688 College St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14165324748
Named after the Japanese word for soil, Tsuchi is a nature-themed cafe that I love coming back to for its serenity. Oh, and of course, the desserts.
I recommend the silky vanilla flan, a simple dessert that satisfies my sugar cravings. This is a custard made with soy milk, coconut cream, and Kuzu powder. It’s silky smooth and subtly sweet. It’s also a bit aromatic, thanks to the vanilla and turmeric mixed in.
| Pro Tip: This cafe sells a few pantry items like frozen goods (e.g., frozen karaage and shokupan), ready-made cookies, and more. |
Bloom Cafe
– From: bloom.caf
Address: 255 Beverley St, Theory Condominiums
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167920419
If you’re looking for a place with delicious vegan desserts, stop by Bloom Cafe! This is especially perfect for tea lovers because the desserts here are tea-inspired.
I love ordering the puff box, which contains six cream puffs with different flavours. The matcha and jasmine puffs are my favourite because they’re aromatic and not too sweet.
The strawberry one is also great. The hint of tanginess makes it stand out.
| Pro Tip: They also sell tea bags here. I recommend buying a few for your snack sessions at home. |
Hattendo
– From: hattendocanada
Address: 13 Baldwin St, cubeshops
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16477481888
One dessert from Japan I miss is the cream bun (essentially bread with a sweet filling), and thankfully, Hattendo is here to satisfy my cravings. They even have the iconic sandwiches with cream and fruit!
Their signature cream bun is perfect all on its own; the custard is simple and light, and it’s not too sweet, allowing you to devour it in one go.
If you want one with a distinctive flavour, I recommend the azuki bean cream bun. The filling is super thick and has a nice, rich flavour—sweet with a hint of earthiness.
| Pro Tip: Occasionally, there are seasonal flavours available. Try them when you can because you don’t know when they’ll be back on the menu. One seasonal flavour I’m always looking forward to is the black sesame mochi cream bun, which is usually available during spring. |
Kanae Cafe
– From: kanaecafe
Address: 390 Silver Star Blvd Unit 111, Scarborough
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14163219090
Have you ever tried Japanese-style cream choux pastries? If the answer is no, this is your sign to fix that by going to Kanae Cafe ASAP!
Their cream choux pastries are addictive because the exterior is so crunchy and crumbly, and the inside is velvety smooth! My favourite flavour is the Kyoho grape; the cream dulls the grape’s tartness a bit, but it still stands out to me.
Aside from cream choux pastries, this shop has other desserts like the soufflé cheesecake (so jiggly and fluffy) and puddings (very silky and decadent).
| Pro Tip: If you can’t decide on which cake flavour to get, you can order the Kanae Cake Medley. This lets you choose 10 different slices for one order. |
Oishii Sweets Cafe
– From: oishiisweetscafe
Address: 3376 Kennedy Rd Unit 2, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Sunday and Monday—10:30 am to 6 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—10:30 am to 7:30 pm
Contact Number: +14168810880
Oishii Sweets Cafe is best known for its array of desserts with adorable designs (mostly animal ones). It’s also the reason I love coming here. I can’t resist the cute animal expressions on the cookies, cupcakes, and cakes!
My favourite thing to get here is the cheesecake tart. I like how crumbly the base is, and the filling is smooth like velvet! The flavour I usually order is milk tea. It’s so creamy, and its sweetness is undercut by a delicate, earthy flavour.
| Pro Tips: If you have any dietary restrictions, I recommend ordering through the website because doing so allows you to let the establishment know before purchasing. Dog cakes are also available here. Get one for your furry friend!This shop accepts custom orders for weddings. |
Cafe Wanoka
– From: wanokacafe
Address: 2101 Brimley Rd, U Health Center, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7:30 am to 7 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14169674653
Cafe Wanoka is a humble spot in Scarborough that I recently learned about, thanks to my friend. Even though I’ve only been here once or twice, it’s safe to say that it’s now one of my fave spots for Japanese-inspired treats.
The taiyaki is my favourite treat to order. It’s a Japanese dessert and street food that’s shaped like a fish. Inside is an indulgent sweet bean paste that I can’t get enough of.
I like that this shop serves their taiyaki with a scoop of ice cream. Yes, it makes the treat even sweeter, but I don’t care!
| Pro Tip: Pair your treat with a drink. I recommend the matcha latte, which is creamy and soothing. |
Jellybean Cake and Dessert
– From: jellybean_cake
Address: 3336 Yonge St, 2nd Floor, Lawrence Frame
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—10 am to 5 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 4 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 11 am
Contact Number: +14165381208
I’ve loved Jellybean Cake and Dessert for a long time now because they offer a wide variety of desserts. But as much as I love their Western-style cakes, my favourites have to be their Japanese desserts.
In particular, I can’t say no to the nerikiri, which is a flower-shaped glutinous rice cake with a sweet bean paste. It always looks so cute with its pastel colours, and the sweet flavour is delicate but still striking.
I also really like the daifuku mochi. It always makes me happy when I bite and get a surprise fruity explosion from the fresh strawberry inside.
